Descendants of the 1907 Monongah mines explosions victims, some from Italy, Wednesday attended the anniversary memorial service in Monongah.

The Memorial Bell in Monongah rang out at 10:20 a.m. in remembrance of the 361 lives lost at almost the same time 110 years ago in Fairmont Coal Company’s No. 6 and No. 8 mines’ twin explosions.

Ann DeMary Eates, Class of 1945, who attended the ceremony, said:

“It’s very touching and very heartbreaking at the same time because there are so many victims. My Mom was only 2 when the explosion happened with my grandfather, so that means a lot” to Ann, who lives at the foot of Bridge Street with husband Joe Eates, also Class of 1945.

Events included a Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, a ceremony at the Mayor’s Office and the playing of the American and Italian national anthems. There were more Italian immigrants among the 1907 victims than any other group.

Some of the descendants spoke in Italian and English.

Soil samples from Italian villages whose former residents died in the 1907 tragedy were dispersed in Mount Calvary Cemetery on Park Avenue, where the victims are buried.

Nicola Trombetti, president of the Federazione delle Associazoni della Compania USA in New York, spread the soil from Italy at the cemetery.